Saturday, January 14, 2012

Secret Snowflake Challenge

Michelle Mach is hosting the Secret Snowflake challenge. She secretly commissioned the ceramic focal and links from Mellisa at Chinook Jewelry. As soon as I saw the Chinook focal, I knew I wanted in. There were other beads in the kit, but the kits ran out, so I bought the focal and links directly from Chinook. (today's lesson: The early bird gets the........kit!)
So, with just the ceramic parts in hand, I dove into my stash. I found some lovely blue Czech crystal rondelles that matched beautifully. I made my earrings first. If you look closely, you will see, as with many handmade things, one of the holes in the one focal was a little farther away from the edge. (this is truly the beauty of handmade!) My small jumprings did not fit and I did not want to use large jumprings, so I wire wrapped the crystal rondelles, sort of like a briolette drop.
 On to the necklace.... When I received my package from Chinook, and I saw the focal, I thought, "where's the challenge?". With a focal so pretty, it was hardly a "challenge".
Looking further in my hoard of beads, I found some AB Crystal faceted rounds, and the Vintaj "sunflower" charm. I thought the sunflower charm rather looked like a snowflake, so I decided to use it. For the link along the necklace, I snipped off the little hole off the charm (and filed it smooth). I used another charm on the pendant, and added some crystals to the bottom of it.
 Seriously, look at the glaze on the focal!!!
 Up close and personal...

Please visit all the participants, and be sure to leave a comment!!
(the names without links can be found at Michelle Mach's blog)
Many Thanks to Michelle for dreaming this up, and Mellisa for creating the beautiful components. I enjoyed this "challenge"!! Enjoy the hop!

    17 comments:

    1. Beautiful work! I like the additional "topper" to the pendant.

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    2. Beautiful necklace. I like the way you added the metal snowflakes to the piece and brought out some of the brown from the pendant.

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    3. I really, really love the vintage look of your pieces! Well done!

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    4. Thanks for the kind words Cynthia! I'm so glad you enjoyed creating with them...everything turned out beautifully!

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    5. Beautiful! The charms give the necklace a truly unique look. :)

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    6. Wow!!! I love the brass and the charms and what a beautiful way to use those gorgeous ceramic pieces. I just love it.

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    7. Lovely necklace! I really like the charms you added and they way you incorporated the one into the chain.

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    8. The sunflower charm was a perfect accent to the snowflake components. Both the earrings and necklace are really pretty pieces.

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    9. I love the mix of the flowers with the snowflakes. They look like they were made for each other. I also like the look of the brass with the blue of the pendants. Blue and brown is one of my favorite combinations. Very striking!

      Thanks for joining the challenge!

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    10. Beautiful! I love the brass, it worked perfectly!

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    11. I really like the components you added, the look is thoughtful, yet unexpected. Very cool!

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    12. Pamela Orians4:10 PM

      gorgeous!

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    13. I love all of the details. They really highlight the focal piece.

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    14. Wonderful details! I love the charms you use they are perfect embellishments!

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    15. What a great idea to use the sunflower to bring out the snowflake. Really nice.
      ~cryssT

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    16. I don't know how I missed you during the Snowflake hop, but I'm here now. Your necklace is gorgeous I love how the dark metal makes the blue pop! I love it!
      Therese

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    17. Really lovely and so wearable. Love it. ;-)

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    Thanks so much for leaving me a comment!